The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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March 30, 2009

One critically injured in 9-vehicle wreck

Fred Pace

Icy road conditions have been blamed for a nine-vehicle pile-up Monday morning near the Mabscott Interchange of Interstate 77, according to a spokesman with the West Virginia State Police.

Initial reports indicated that as many as 11 vehicles were involved, but Cpl. L.W. Payne with the Turnpike detachment of the State Police said the actual number was nine.

“There were several injuries and one was in critical condition,” Payne said. “We’re still sorting it all out at this point.”

Payne said Alan Brinegar of West Virginia was critically injured when he lost control of his vehicle while entering the highway from the on-coming ramp at the Mabscott exit, near mile-marker 42.

The accident happened just after 7 a.m., according to Payne, and six others were also transported to local hospitals.

“It appears black ice on the roadway was a factor in the crash,” Payne said.

Police believe Brinegar’s vehicle slid sideways on the southbound lanes and was hit by a tractor-trailer.

Ray Palmer with the Mabscott Volunteer Fire Department said the door of Brinegar’s vehicle had to be cut off to remove him.

Payne said seven other vehicles then crashed into each other behind the overturned truck.

“It was like a chain reaction,” he said.

All of the vehicles involved reportedly came to a stop in the highway’s median, and traffic was able to slowly continue around the site of the crash, emergency crews said.

In addition to the State Police, Mabscott Volunteer Fire Department and JanCare Ambulance Service also responded to the scene of the wreck.

Payne said no citations have been issued regarding the crash, but one driver was cited for driving on a suspended license.

Police released the names of the drivers, but their hometowns and other identifying information will not be available until the investigation was completed, Payne said.

The names of drivers involved in the accident in addition to Brinegar are Sanata Smith of West Virginia; John Menei of West Virginia; Kenneth Lehman of Ohio; Arnold Kidd of North Carolina; Michael Bashman of West Virginia; Angelina Wells of North Carolina; Hong Chu of New York; and Faith White of West Virginia, according to Payne.

The investigation is ongoing, he added.

— E-mail:

fpace@register-herald.com

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